Evening and soon to be morning Richard:
I as well. Couple grand in 5 months and now I'm taking stock of it all. Eight months ago I couldn't give an opinion on the top 3 blades and why or how many times I use a blade before desposing. I wanted, not needed, an SS, Adjustable, Black, Blue, Red Tip and Toggle and Fatboy AND .... After a certain point, early 50's perhaps later 30s, I think the heads became the same; or very close. I don't know enough to disect ball bearings and can only answer as a consumer on tech aspects. A slim adjustables head is different from FB. I shaved with a Toggle on Christmas, but the Jagger had no problem getting the upperlip under the nose. Because I read about the razors in other sites and felt I had to do research to buy one, first purchased Merkur 34C HD and really like it. Went for a 37C after all the posts saying it had to be handled like tritium. Ssshhhssssh! Pick up the damn tool, mind your business and shave. It's one very fine shave. Trainman convinced me and encouraged me to give it a go. It went uneventful in blood and gore and used it all of one work week. Those slants are a damn good razor. But no one else makes them. Hell, if there is one thing that cuts my rawhide, it's a single edge. Much respect for that type and I purchased many diffrent colors and handles. Straight? Eventually.
" Morning Robert, having now spent a small fortune on vintage Gillette TTO’s, I can quite categorically say that none of them shave better than my EJ Chatsworth which is a blade tamer. If the blade doesn’t work in an EJ with these heads then they won’t work at all."
My thinking exactly. I now know how to shop and get to the garage sales to check things over. They are out there but you have to put some skin into the game and get off the beaten path; Robert Frost if you will. Antique shops now ask us if we have anything to give them on consignment. People are starting to (or I'm just discovering) it won't be easy for long - to get them for below a tenner. You can get a deal with free adjustables tossed in with the mug you bought for 10 bucks sort a thing. It's taking the time off to get out and about out here in the Northwest US. YMMV in different parts of the country or a big city, etc.
But again the heads are the same for the most part. So the Edwin Jagger from Sheffield ..... I like the clean lines and the looks at how the head is finished; more chrome, smoothed edges. The weight of the head. The gullets to usher away the beard and soap. I first noticed them on a loaner from a friend - Merkur Progress, then he loaned me the Futur and of course I started out 34 and led to 37 and a Hoffritz (same thing I know, but the boxes are way cool). The German heads are something to behold. They look fresh. They look new. And Muehle heads are just as sharp. Haven't seen a Pills, but I've just gotten started.
If you're looking for a few things let me know PM and I'll put that on my list while out shopping. Regards, Robert